Rod or pipe clamp



Nov. 29, 1932. F. BRANDT ROD OR PIPE CLAMP Filed March 4. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Fakka azzdfi.

Nov. 29, 1932.

F. BRANDT ROD OR PIPE CLAMP Filed March 4. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 29, 1932 FOKKO BRANDT, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI ROD OR PIPE CLAMP Application filed March 4, 1927. Serial No. 172,653.

This invention relates to casing holding and elevating apparatus of that class employing arm-operated devices for clamping engagement with opposite sides of the casing. Heretofore in such apparatus, the arms have been utilized as the support for the clamping elements, and it is one of the objects of this inventionto utilize the frame itself as the supporting medium when the clamping devices are engagingthe casing. Another object is to provide slips for the clamping ele ments which are self-adjusting to insure a firm unyielding grip upon the casing regardless of irregularity in its diameter, and a further object in connection with the apparatus when employed as a spider or holding appliance, is to make provision for automatic accommodation of the clamping elements to the casing should the sub-base occupy a slight- 'ly tilted position due to unevenness of the ground upon which it rests, or shouldthe casing be slightly out of plumb.

With hese objects in view the invention consists in certain novel and useful features of construction and combinations'of parts as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of apparatus embodying the invention, the exemplifica-tion being in its use as a spider or holding apparatus.

Figure 2 is a cross section taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of Figure 4. I

Figure 4 is an irregular plan view, one of the pair of clamping elements and its arm supports being omitted to d sclose certain underlying features of construction more clearly.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line VV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 indi cates an arched sub-base adapted to rest upon the ground or a platform, not shown, and provided with a base flange 2 by which it may be securely anchored in place around the bore of an oil Well or the like, and said sub-base is provided with an arcuate top 3 having a relatively large central opening t through which extends the wellcasing C. 1 5

A frame to rest upon the sub-base when the apparatus is used as a spider or supporting appliance, comprises a bottom 5 having a central opening 6, and side walls 7, the underside of the bottom conforming to the upper side of Q the arcuate top of the sub-base so as to be c;.- pable of shifting thereon for self-alining purposes in the event the casing is not strictly vertical or the sub-base is slightly tilted from the horizontal due to unevenness in the ground or other support.

The frame forms the pivotal support. for swinging arms pivotally carrying opposed clamping devices, and tracks are providedon the frame for engagement by the upper portions of the arms when the clamping devices are in approached or operative position. In the preferred form of construction, especially for heavy duty service, it is desirable to employ multiple sets of tracks and arms, and such exemplification is illustrated by the drawings. Referring now to the detail construction, it will be noted the side walls are provided with inwardly-projecting flanges forming tracks 8 a short distance above 89 the bottom 5. The central portions of these tracks are preferably horizontal and they terminate in upwardly diverging end portions 9 which are substantially concentric with bearings for loosely receiving a pair of cross bolts 10 at the lower corners of the side walls at equal distances from the midway points thereof, and to brace and strengthen the tracks, vertical stiffening ribs 11are provided between the flanges, walls 99 and bottom of the frame, as shown most clearly by Figures 2 and 4, the ribs being arranged radially with respect to theopening 6 in the bottom.

The central upper portions of the walls 7 vertically above the portions 8 of the tracks, constitute tracks" 12 terminating in upward ly-diverging portions or extensions 13 which are substantially concentric with bearings for loosely receiving a pair of cross bolts 14 ar- Cit ranged at the upper corners of the side walls 7 vertically above the cross bolts 10, and the same distances from the latter as intervenes between the lower tracks 8 and the upper tracks 12.

hen the apparatus is employed as a spider or holding appliance, it is essential that the frame, while free to slide slightly upon the sub-base for self-adjusting purposes as explained, shall be prevented from undue movement of the kind mentioned. Bolts therefore extend loosely through the bottom of the frame near the corners thereof and through the top of the sub-base and are engaged at their upper ends by retaining nuts 16. Cups 17 are fitted on the bolts and limited as to downward movement by the heads of the latter, and fitting around the bolts and bearing at their lower ends in said cups are springs 18, the upper ends of the springs tit ting in sockets 19 formed in the underside of the subbase, the arrangement being such that the springs normally hold the frame against sliding movement but will yield to permit slight sliding movement under proper condit-ions.

At one corner of the frame is an external boss 20, through which one shaft 10 extends, and said boss is provided with an external socket 21, for a purpose which hereinafter appears. A lever 22 is rigidly secured on said shaft outward of the boss, and said lever is pivotally connected by a link 23 to a depending crank arm 24 rigidly secured upon the shaft 14 at the diagonally opposite corner of the frame from boss 20, the arrangement being such that movement of the lever 22 to rotate said shaft 10 will impart simultaneous rotation in the same degree to the shaft 14 equipped with said crank arm.

Rigidly secured upon shafts 10 inward of walls 7, are pairs of upwardly-convcrging arms 25, the arms being disposed slightly inward of the tracks 8 and their extensions 9, and the upper ends of the arms terminate in cylindrical heads 26 which are of proper width to overlie or ride upon their respective tracks 8 and extensions 9 thereof. Each shaft 14 likewise rigidly carries a pair of arms 27, the arms of one shaft converging upwardly with respect to those of the other and corresponding in length thereto and to the lower arms 25, it being also noted that the arms and 27 at corresponding sides of the casing are parallel. The arms 27 are provided with cylindrical heads 28 at their upper ends to overlie or ride upon tracks 12 and their extensions 13.

A pair of opposite clamping devices are employed, one being disposed between the pairs of arms 25 and 27 at one end of the frame and pivotally connected thereto. The other clamping device is disposed between and pivoted to the corresponding arms 25 and 27 at the other end of the frame, the

pairs of upper and lower arms making provision for holding the clamping devices vertically at all times. The clamping devices are substantially semi-circular in plan view,

and are constructed as follows: downwardlytapering segmental shells 29 are pivoted directly to the arms as mentioned and provide downwardly tapering bores 30, and are formed outward of such bores and at the upper ends thereof with pockets 31. wardly-tapering slips 32 conforming externally to the bores 30, and internally defining a work receiving passage, fit slidingly in the latter, and are provided at their lower ends with inwardly-projecting flanges 33 forming a recess receiving and affording underlying supports for a pair of semi-circular grips or inserts 34 having their upper edges inclined, these grips being also toothed at their inner faces and made of hardened steel or the like so that the teeth may bite into the interposed casing C. Secured by bolts 35 upon the slips and upper ends of the grips or inserts and having inclined faces to cooperate with the inclined upper ends of the grips or inerts to clamp the latter inwardly and downwardly in the slip recesses as the bolts 35 are tight ned, are cap plates 36, and said plates are provided with lugs or arms 37 PlOjQCting into the upper ends of sockets 31, and can rying bolts 38 which extend down through said sockets and the shells 29, the heads 39 engaging the shells to limit upward movement of the bolts and hence of the slips and grips. Expansion coiled springs fit around said bolts and hear at their ends against the bottoms of the sockets and the overlying lugs or arms 3. and normally hold the slips and grips at their upward limit of movement, as shown clearly by Figure 5.

Associated with the lever 22 is a latch mechanism of conventional type, consisting of a grip lever 41 pivoted to lever 22, a latch rod 42 pivoted to the grip lever and adapted for engagement with the socket 21 of boss 20, the rod carrying a collar and a spring 44 interposed between said collar and one of a pair of lugs 45 projecting inwardly from the lever 22, the arrangement being such that the spring exerts force on the collar 43 to cause the lower end of the latch rod to snap into the socket 21 when alined with the latter, that is when the lever 22 occupies the position shown by Figure 1, the latch thus serving to hold the clamping devices in opened or inoperative position. lVhen the clamping devices are to be engaged with the casing, the operator grips levers 22 and 41 and thus trips or withdraws the latch rod from the socket 21. The clamping devices are then moved or permitted to gravitate inward until engaged with the casing as heretofore explained.

The device as exemplified by Figures 1 and 4 is designed for use as what is known as a Downspider or oil well casing supporting apparatus, and when the casing is being raised or lowered in a well, the operative mechanismis as indicated by Figure 1. Preliminary to continuing the raising or lowering movement of the casing it is necessary to hold the latter stationary, and to accomplish 'this the-operator trips the latch mechanism and causes or permits the arms to swing inwardly and thus cause the clamping devices to move in a corresponding direction until their grips 34 engage opposite sides of the casingjby which time the heads of the arms have travelled down upon and nearly attained the lower ends of theiadjacent extensions of the respective tracks 8 and 12, as the normal inward or closing movement of the clamping devices ends. When this is effected and it takes place practically in a moment, the grip of the elevating means, not shown, for lifting or lowering the casing, is shifted upon the casing downward or upward accordingly as the latter is to be raised or lowered. The operator then by means of the lever 22 reopensthe clamping devices from the holding or operative position shown by Figure 3, to the initial or inoperative position shownby Figure 1, it being noted that when the clamping devices are in the holding position, the weight of the casing is transmitted through the clamping devices and heads of the links to the frame, as at such time the heads of the links rest upon the track extensions of the frame. Itwill be further noted that as the grips engage and biteinto the casing, the gripping action is intensified due to the fact that the slips 32 are caused by the weight of the casing, to slide downward and hence through engagement with the downwardly-converging bores 30 of the shells, impart further closing movement to the toothed grips and cause the same to bite firmly into the casing. It will be also noted that when the clamping devices are swung back toward inoperative position, the springs 40, compressed by the downward slipping movement of the slips, react to re-elevate the latter to their normal positions so as to be ready for repeating their downward and inward movement when they are next brought into engagement with the casing for the support thereof.

By making provision that cross shafts 10 and 14 have slight lateral play in their bearings, the work of sustaining the load is taken from said shafts, and imposed through the heads of the arms in a downward and slightly outward direction on the tracks where the burden can more safely be sustained,the body er lower portions of the tracks function ng directly as a support only in the event of material wear at the axial points or head ends of the arms, it being of course understood that under ordinary conditions the approaching or inward movement of the arms is substantially finished before the downward sliding action of the slips occurs. The sequence of these operations may be changed or modified of. course, if thicker grips are used for the accommodation of casings of materially smaller diameter, though it is to be understood that the parts in the proportions shown, make provision for reasonable variations in the diameter of casings.

It will also be noted that should the casing through repeated applications of the grips become sli htly reduced in diameter at any point or points, and subsequently engaged at the same point or points by the grips, the provision for additional downward movement of the links and ample downward movement or slippage of the slips in the shells, will permit the grips to tightly and firmly engage the casing and thus guard against any possible chance of the fall thereof. The grips, as hereinbefore suggested, are preferably of case hardened steel or its equivalent and may be replaced when unduly worn or re-sharpencd. Said grips constitute merely replace able inner faces for the slips.

In theevent the sub-base should rest upon an uneven'support, the frame is capable of self-adjustment to properly accommodate the vertical casing or conversely if the casing is out of "plumb the frame will adjust itself upon the sub base in order that the clamping devices shall properly and simultaneously engage or become disengaged from the casing.

The superstructure of the apparatus, namely that part above the subbase, is adaptable for use as an elevating and lowering appliance for the casing, it being customary in such case to suspend the frame from bails, not shown because common in the art, depending from the cable leading over a crown wheel to the calf wheel of an oil well derrick, the oper ation of tee wheel in one direction winding up the cable to raise the elevator and in the reverse direction to lower the elevator. The derrick and its appurtenances mentioned are not illustrated, as they, used as indicated, are common in the art.

From the above description, it will be apparent that I have produced a device embodying all the features of advantage pointed out as desirable, and while I have described and claimed the preferred embodiment of the in- 'vention, it is to be understood that I reserve the right to make all changes properly falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus comprising a frame having spaced tracks, swinging arms mounted on the frame for movement towardand from each otheira pair of clamping devices car- 'ried by said arms; the frame tracks being in a plane above the points of connection of the arms with the frame and being adapted for engagement with the arms when the latter are in approached or operative position.

2. An apparatus comprising a frame having spaced tracks, swinging arms mounted on the frame for movement toward and from each other, a pair of clamping devices carried by said arms; the frame tracks being at opposite sides of the clamping devices and in a plane above the points of connection of the arms with the frame and being adapted for engagement with the arms when the latter are in approached or operative position.

3. An apparatus comprising a frame havin spaced tracks, swinging arms mounted on the frame for movement toward and from each other, a pair of clamping devices carried by said arms; the frame tracks being in a plane above the points of connection of the arms wi h the frame and having upwardlydiverging extensions substantially concentric to the points of connection of the arms with the frame. the arms having laterally-projecting portions which engage the track extensions in the approaching and receding movements of the clamping devices.

l. An apparatus comprising a frame having pairs of spaced parallel tracks in differen horizontal planes, each track having upwardly-diverging arched extensions, a pair of swinging arms mounted on the frame at opposite ends of each pair of tracks, each arm having a head for riding upon the adjacent track extension and for resting when in operative or inward position upon the track of such extension, and upright opposed clamping devices between and p voted to the upper and lower arms at the corresponding ends of the tracks.

An apparatus characterized as in claim 4, and provided with means for simultaneously operating the arms to effect approaching or separating movements of the clamping devices.

(3. An apparatus characterized as in claim 4, and provided with means for mparting swinging movement to one set of the arms adjacent one of the tracks, and means for transmitting power from said means to one of the diagonally-opposite arms of the set adjacent the tracks in a different horizontal plane.

7. An apparatus comprising a frame having pairs of spaced parallel tracks in different horizontal planes, each track havng upwardlyverging arched extensions, a pair of swinging arms mounted on the frame at the opposite ends of each pair of tracks, each arm having a head tor riding upon adjacent traclr extensions and resting when in operative or clamping position on sa d track extensions, upright opposed clamping devices between and pivoted to the upper and lower arms at the corresponding ends of the tracks, means for simul 'aneously operating the arms to efiect approaching or separating movements of the clamping devices, and means for securing said clamping devices in withdrawn or inoperative position.

8. An apparatus characterized as in claim 4, and provided with a lever for imparting swinging movement to one set of the arms adjacent one of the tracks, and connections for transmitting power to correspondingly operate the arms adjacent the tracks in a different plane.

9. An apparatus comprising a frame having pairs of spaced parallel tracks in diiferent horizontal planes, each track having upwardly-diverging arched extensions, a pair I of arms mounted on the frame at opposite ends of each pair of tracks, each arm having a head for riding upon the adjacent track extension and for resting when in operative or inward position upon such track extension, upright opposed clamping devices between and pivoted to the upper and lower arms at the corresponding ends of the tracks, a lever, and means cooperating therewith for simultaneously operating the arms to citect aproaching or separating movements of the clamping evices, and a latch mechanism for securing the lever with the clamping devices in withdrawn or inoperative position.

10. In apparatus of the character de scribed, a frame having a central opening for accommodating a part to be clamped or re leased by the apparatus, and a pair of parallel side walls, upper and lower pairs of cross shafts journaled in the side walls, the side walls having upper and lower central tracks provided with upwardly-diverging extensions respectively concentric to the of the adjacent upper and lower shafts, a pair of opposed upright clamping devices, upwardly-converging arms rigid with each pair of shafts and pivoted to said clamping devices for swinging the latter toward and from each other, the upper ends of the upp r and lower arms having heads for respectively riding adjacent the upper and lower tracks and upon their extensions during the swinging movements of the clamping devices and sustaining the load carried by the clamping devices when the latter have been moved inward to operative or clamping relation.

11. An apparatus characterized as in claim 10, and provided with means for SiII1UliEiII ously operating the arms to effect approacln ing or separating movements of the clamping devices.

12. An apparatus comprising a frame having pairs of spaced parallel tracks in different horizontal planes, each track having upwardly-diverging arched extensions, a pair of swinging arms mounted on the frame at opposite ends of each pair of tracks, each arm having a head for resting when in operative or inward position upon such track extension, and upright opposed clamping devices having their inner faces downwardly and inwardly tapering pivoted to and between the upper and lower arms at the corresponding ends of the tracks, and yieldingly-elevated slips, engaging said downwardly and inwardly tapering faces for engagement with an object interposed between them.

13. An apparatus comprising a base of arcuate form, a frame for rocking engagement on said base, means for yieldingly securing the frame and base in position, and clamping devices mounted on said frame for engagement with an object interposed between them.

14. An apparatus comprising a frame having spaced tracks, swinging arms mounted on the frame for movement toward and from each other, a pair of clamping devices carried by said arms; the frame tracks being in a plane above the points of connection of the arms with the frames and being adapted for .engagementwith the arms when the latter are in approached or operative position, clamping elements carried by said clamping devices for sliding downward and inward relative to an object to be gripped to intensify such grip, and means for reversing the movement of the slidable elements when they are released from the object by reverse or outward swinging movement of the clamping devices. I

15. An apparatus comprising a frame having spaced tracks, swinging arms mounted on the frame for movement toward and from each other, a pair of clamping devices carried by said arms; the frame tracks being in a plane above the points of connection of the arms with the frame and being adaptedfor engagement with the arms when the latter are in approached or operative position; said clamping devices being formedvwith downwardly and inwardly tapering faces, downwardly-tapering slips slidingly engaging said faces, resilient means for normally maintaining the slips inelevated position within the clamping devices, and manually-operable means for swinging said devices toward and from each other.

16. A gripping device comprising a base, a frame universally rockingly mounted on said base, and gripping jaws carried by said frame.

17. A gripping device comprising a base, a frame rockingly mounted on said base, gripping jaws carried by said frame, and yielding means for normally maintaining a predetermined relation between the base and frame.

18. A gripping device comprising a base, a frame rockingly mounted on said base, gripping jaws carried by said frame, headed bolts loosely engaging said base and said frame, and springs on said bolts for maintaining the base and frame tightly pressed together.

19. A gripping device comprising a frame nature.

FOKKO BRANDT. 

